2d Cavalry Association

June 2015

Keep Your Association Strong, Join/Renew On Line at: ON LINE

The Thoroughbred The Newsletter of the 2d Cavalry Association

SECOND REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS–SECOND CAVALRY REGIMENT–SECOND CAVALRY GROUP MECHANIZED–SECOND

ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT- SECOND ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT (LIGHT)–SECOND STRYKER CAVALRY

REGIMENT – SECOND CAVALRY REGIMENT

"The Frontier Years, 1866-1897"

Original Art by Jamie Warner, 2d Cavalry Association Artist in Residence

Available for purchase at: Jamie’s Facebook Page

Contact Jamie at: jamie.warner.art@gmail.com

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 Index

Electronic Edition Index

Cover by Jamie Warner, “Artist in Residence” E-1

Association News E-2

From the Editor E-3

President’s Message E-4

Board of Governors Minutes E-6

Fiddler’s Green E-9

Merritt Powell, Rest in Peace E-11

Powell Pictures

Patton Hall Classroom Sponsorship E-14

Regimental Names in the News E-16

Chris Boyle Change of Command Photo and Caption E-18

The Gainey Cup E-19

Stable Call Photos E-21

Operation Atlantic Resolve E-22 -23

Dragoon Ride Coin Photo E-23A

Operation Saber Junction E-24-25

Reed Museum and Regimental Heritage Center Update E-26

2d Cav WWII Operations Memorial Map E26A

Our History Section

The Regiment Returns Out West E-27-32

The Fetterman Massacre E-33-34

The Lippincott Canteen E-35-36 Lieutenant Lippincott on his tank E-36A

And Follow Your Officer E-37-38

The Bells of Amberg: A Reflection E-39

Stryker: The Siege of Sadr City A Book Review E-40

Reunion Information

Index/Mailing Page

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 Page 2

Association News

Transitioning Board of Governors Chairman

It is with great appreciation and respect that we announce the transition of the Chairman of the Board

of Governors from the 63d Colonel of the Regiment, General (Retired) John Tilelli, Junior (August 1985-

May 1987) to Lieutenant General (Retired) Terry A. Wolff (August 2000 – June 2003), the 71st Colonel of

the Regiment. During the eight years General Tilelli served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors,

our Association grew in numbers and got ever more involved in supporting the Regiment. As

importantly, the Board of Governors received sound guidance, great ideas, and personalized support in

the conduct of their duties. Board Members knew that if they had a sound, well thought-out idea to

better serve the Association, they could count on GEN Tilelli.

General Tilelli, LTG Wolff and Association President Bill Bewley met in Alexandria, Virginia on January 15,

2015 to discuss the transition and agree to a transition plan. General Tilelli will be missed but he knows

his former position is in good hands.

A profile of Lieutenant General Wolff, who commanded the Regiment in Iraq in 2003, will be published

in our next addition.

Spur of the Moment Transitions to 2d Cav Store

The Association store, Spur of the Moment, for things 2d Cavalry is no more. For the past eighteen

years, Bill Heidner ran the store out of his basement, only assisted by his wife Mel. Earlier this year a

proposal was made to transition to a commercial vendor, negotiations started, and current inventory

shipped to the vendor. Part of the rationale in shifting to a commercial vendor is their ability to operate

as a business not reliant simply on volunteers.

Finish Line Awards of Wellington, Colorado was selected. They have several clients including the 3d, 11th

and 14th Cavalry Associations. The addition of the 2d Cavalry Association makes them a Cavalry store for

almost all things Cavalry. Because of the economy of scale, Finish Line Awards has sources that are

much more affordable than what we have been able to use in the recent past.

Progress is being made on the Association webpage (it will be http://2dcavstore.com/) when the

webpage is fully functional. The 2d Cavalry Store will also have a Facebook page, likewise being

designed now. When the contract is signed (due shortly), and the webpage up, we will send an E-Blast

to all members on our electronic contact list. Please do not try to use this website until we tell you.

The process to shift to a commercial vendor has taken longer than we expected. Thank you for your

patience as we transition from volunteers.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 3

Editor Notes

It is with great pleasure the Spring 2015 edition is being sent to you; it represents six months of information gathering and writing. I hope you will enjoy this edition.

This Editions Cover “Cav Country:” Our “Artist-in-Residence,” Jamie Warner, at my request did the cover for this edition. Jamie is a strong supporter of ours and I wanted to make sure we recognize her contributions. Thank you Jamie. She is working on a Fall edition original to honor the end of the Cold War.

The Reed Museum: From our friend Ryan Meyer: “I would love to hear from any WWII veterans we are desperately looking for photographs from that period and any stories about their experiences. Thanks.” See Ryan’s Museum update in this edition.

Regimental News: Through the wonders of the Internet this edition has a summary of what the Regiment has been doing January-May of this year. Supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve, a USAREUR/NATO level operation and Operation Saber Junction, an annual event is included.

Biennial Reunion: Our biennial reunion kicks off with a Board of Governors meeting the evening of September 30, 2015 in Valley Forge. Several events are scheduled for Thursday thru Saturday evening when we have our banquet. Sunday has the annual general membership meeting. October 1-4; hope to see you there. (More information: Click Here )

Changing Leadership/Help Wanted: There will be a number of changes in the Association leadership that comes concurrent with the reunion. As we Cold War/Vietnam veterans displaced the World War II veterans in the Association, it is time for us to do the same. We are actively seeking a new Thoroughbred Editor effective January 2016.

The duty includes information gathering, story development and writing, and producing two editions a year, one a paper edition of 10-12 pages, and an electronic edition that can run as high as fifty plus pages. The editor should have desktop publishing skills. Ideally the new editor would have a publisher. As Chris Golden was mine, he made the job of Editor so much easier. Thank you Chris.

You can reach me at neddevereaux@comcast.net or ThoroughbredEditor@gmail.com if you have questions, comments or need any clarifications. Yes, I will still write for The Thoroughbred.

Good reading. Toujours Pret; Dragoon for Life

Ned Devereaux, Editor

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 4

From the Association President Fellow Dragoons: On Memorial Day, I participated in my community Memorial Day ceremony in Bonita Springs, Florida. It was a great day for Bonita Springs as residents in large numbers came out on a beautiful warm Florida morning along a small, slow flowing river downtown in a beautiful park that was built to honor those who have served our community and our nation - military Veterans, law enforcement and fire fighters - heroes all who have passed on. It was a special day of fellowship, sharing stories of the past, meeting old friends again, and making new friends, great music and a time for prayers and thanks for all we have because of those who have made our freedom reality. It was truly a wonderfully dignified ceremony that made us all feel good and gave us the opportunity to publicly say thanks. It just doesn’t get any better than that! I hope each of you took the time to attend such an event in your community to honor those who have served us all for so and so well. My thanks to each of you for your service and may God bless you all. Memorial Day is my favorite holiday! In Vilseck, the Regimental Commander John V. Meyer III honored the 757 cavalry troopers who died in the 59 campaigns the Regiment has fought in. You can hear his talk and see the assembled troop, company and battery guidons on Facebook. (Click Here: Meyer Comments ) I am also reminded that time is fleeting as always with 2015 being a very active year for our Regiment and our Association. There are several events addressed further elsewhere in this edition of The Thoroughbred. I wanted to expand on a few of them from my personal perspective. The Biennial Reunion I want to extend my best to you all and hope to see as many of you as possible at our 2015 Reunion at Valley Forge, PA, 1-4 Oct 15. This event is going to be filled with very special activity and the opportunity to fellowship with fellow Cavalryman. Tim White, our Reunion Committee Chairman, has done a great job with planning and now executing the plan to make this event memorable for us all. Please plan to join us and recruit your CAV friends come along with you. I urge each of you to take my suggestion seriously and take advantage of this opportunity to be among fellow Cavalryman in the historic settings of Valley Forge and downtown Philadelphia for a few special days. Be sure and sign up soon so you don’t miss the “early bird” discount for registration. (Information on the Reunion: Reunion ) My Visit to the Regiment The Regiment has been training hard while concurrently supporting a myriad of missions from the Baltic’s to the Balkans in addition to their normal maneuver and gunnery training activity as one of only two regimental sized units currently stationed in Europe. RCO COL John Myer and RCSM Shane Pospisil and their command team are clearly up to the many challenges they face each day and I promise you they are dedicated leaders. Despite their cramped and extremely busy schedule, they hosted my latest visit to the regiment in April.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 5 The “Dragoon Ride” I had the privilege of spending 8 days with the regiment this trip during which I had the opportunity to join 3/2 on the final day of their historic road march from northern Estonia to Vilseck, called “The Dragoon Ride” (1,200 miles over a 10 day period). With no sleep for two days under my belt, I joined “The Dragoon Ride” in Prague for the final seven hours of the road march in 32 degrees weather, dressed in full “battle rattle”, riding in a Stryker with the RCO and SCO of 3/2. Needless to say, I froze my buns off and loved every minute of the experience! I’m sure many of you would have traded places with me for the opportunity to ride with Cavalryman one more time. I am proud of 3/2 and the entire regiment for this historic march being accomplished safely and so well. The convoy was hailed by cheering Czech citizens of all ages, many waving American Flags, all along the route of march in their country, which was an amazing experience for me to witness. To honor the 3/2 troopers for their performance excellence on “The Dragoon Ride”, the Association is presenting each participant with a special, uniquely made, serially numbered, medallion to honor the great job they all did to make this historic event a reality. The Gainey Cup (Report on the Gainey Cup: News From Benning ) In addition to the great work done in Europe, 4/2 “took home the gold” in the 2015 Gainey Cup Best Scout Squad Competition, 4-8 May. This was a particularly great win for the winning team, 4/2 and the regiment because it was truly a competition among the best of the best in our Army and one Canadian team. I was immensely impressed by the emotion of the event and how well our winning team was prepared for the competition. They won a very close victory among very serious competition. We should all be very proud of them and their achievement. I assure you the namesake of the competition, CSM (Retired) Joe Gainey an alumnus of our regiment as 1/2 CSM and RCSM, was immensely proud of 4/2 and each member of the winning team. I had the pleasure to represent our Association at the competition and we hosted a Stable Call to honor our winning team. We had approximately 50 Dragoons in attendance. Congratulations to LTC Jon Due, SCO 4/2 and CSM Chris Prosser for the win! All in all, a great day for the CAV! Time, Talent and Treasure I part with a request to you all as a reminder that our Association a non-profit organization and we operate on the gifts and donations received from our members. Please don’t overlook the fact that the more generous we are the more we can do for our Troopers. Always Ready! “Dragoon for Life” Bill 703-472-5023

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 6

Board of Governors Meeting - 28 May 2015

Quorum Call

Board Members Present: Terry Wolff; Bill Bewley; Chris Golden; Bill Barry; Bill Heidner; Jim Van Patten; John Walker; Michael Wieczorek; Tim White and Tom Molino. (10). Excused Absence Frank Hurd and John Hillen. Telephonic Conference Call Quorum Established at 1100 Hours EDT, 28 May 2015.

Other Invitees Present: John Eberle, Ned Devereaux, Recorder; and Roger Blackwood.

Introductions/Comments

President Bill Bewley: Remarked on just how busy the Regiment is in Europe; how important it was for us, as the Board, to be in front when it comes to helping the Regiment and the Association. He further mentioned that in the context of future Association changes, he, Chris Golden and Ned Devereaux were a three person committee reviewing our current (1999)Constitution to insure we are complying with the rules, and to review and propose a re-write for the next Board of Governors.

Chairman LTG (Ret) Terry Wolff. On January 15, 2015 LTG (Retired) Wolff was selected, and accepted an offer to become the new Chairman of the Board. He replaces retired General John Tilelli who has served for the past eight years. LTG (Retired) Wolff made the following points at his first Board meeting.

1. Thanks for all you are doing, giving of time and energy for a worthwhile cause; 2. Board meetings are hugely important to build a strong leadership team. Suggested quarterly

Board meetings; 3. Briefly mentioned the transition phase from Vietnam/Cold War veterans to Desert Shield/Desert

Storm and beyond veterans for future leaders; by-laws (Constitution); and 4. Reach out to current and former members of the Regiment to belong to “their” Association. As

71st Colonel, he will reach out to his fellow former Squadron Commanders to join. 5. Asked Chris Golden for a “Starter Package” to help in accomplishing item 4.

Regimental Commander: COL John V. Meyer III was invited but was unable to attend. Bill Bewley mentioned some of the highlights of several conversations about the Regiment.

The Regiment is emphasizing training in basic skills; basic field skills. New and different soldiers to contend with; Poor soldiers are being identified and those that cannot or will not change will be eliminated. Concurrently having a Association Chapter in Vilseck with uniformed leadership is in conflict with good order and discipline. We will support a chapter that has retired military as the basis for membership.

Organizational Status

Minutes: Motion to accept the last meeting minutes was made, seconded, and received a unanimous

vote.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 7

Financial Status: Chris Golden led the discussion of Frank Hurd’s written report. It shows the current income as $13, 253.11; Expenses $10, 873.49 with the reunion and an 1836 Society donation being the bulk of the income; coins for 3/2 Dragoon Ride being the major expense. The reunion account, income over expenses stands at $8, 996.09. In the restricted accounts, 1836 Society stands at $5,508 (three donations), Reed Museum $2,000 and Reserves at $33,518.79.

Executive Director Update: Chris Golden addressed membership as part of this update. Three life and two term memberships are being processed. This is average for the month. As part of the membership drive he will actively market “Dragoon Ride” coins. Current electronic/social media sites are working well. He will use E-Blasts to address membership and the 2015 Reunion because of the price increase end of June.

Status-Projects

Thoroughbred: (Ned Devereaux) With the addition of the minutes from this meeting, both the electronic version (44 pages) and the paper edition will be completed this weekend and forwarded to Chris for formatting and sending out to our members. There are also three “Hold the Presses” that need to be discussed before finalizing this edition. (See Spur of the Moment below).

Spur of the Moment: (Bill Bewley) The shift from Bill Heidner, who has done our in-house Association item store for seventeen years, is in the transition phase sending his entire inventory to Finish Line Awards, our new vendor. The decision to shift to a vendor was in part made because the vendor has a strong cavalry-centric product line, is a strong use of on-line tools and their sources are more affordable. Frank Hurd has become the defacto agent for the Association.

As soon as the contract is signed an E-Blast will be created and sent to our electronic members; story in the fall edition in The Thoroughbred with purchase information and available products.

Patton Hall Classroom: (Ned Devereaux). With the vote of the Board to approve supporting a 2d Cavalry Regiment classroom at Fort Benning, Ned discussed briefly what is taking place. (See related story in The Thoroughbred).

2015 Reunion Update: (Tim White) As of this date, 41 have registered for the reunion. This tracks with the 2013 figure. With the end of June cut-off for a special rate, he anticipates an uptick in registrations. 45 of the guaranteed room nights are accounted for. He still is working with the Parks Service.

A discussion took place concerning fund raising activities including the auction, 50/50 raffle and specialty items to sell such as reunion focused hats, polo shirts and Cold War focused tee-shirts. The consensus was to implement this action in-house. Ned Devereaux tasked to repeat the 2013 experience but order extra shirts.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 8

All Board members and guests were encouraged to get out their rolodex and contact friends with service in the Regiment to attend this reunion.

Scholarship Update (Bill Bewley for Tom Molino) As of this date, only one applicant has applied. Another E-Blast will be sent extending the date for submission. A discussion took place concerning our Scholarship and working with the Vilseck Wives Club on a joint venture.

New Business

Visit to the Regiment: (Bill Bewley) He reiterated his travels, the Regiment moved 1200 miles in ten days. Bill joined them in Prague and finished the ride. He reports freezing his tail off and subsequently visiting Hohenfels.

Fund Raising: (Bill Bewley) An earlier electronic vote was taken on fund raising efforts to support the

Patton Hall Classroom project; “Dragoon Ride” coins for 3/2 CR; and Gainey Cup Winner awards for the

coach and six man team from 4/2 CR.

Association Leadership Succession Planning: (Bill Bewley): Discussed the transition from Vietnam/Cold War to Desert Shield/Desert Storm and beyond new leadership. As part of the transition, the next Board meeting to be held in July will discuss the following topics:

1. Reunion Update; 2. Transition to a New Board of Desert Shield/Storm and beyond. 3. Methods for future funding. 4. Proposed Constitution/By-Laws Changes; streamlining and updating.

Social Media Discussion: (Emil Bagalso) Unfortunately Emil Bagalso was unable to join the discussion. He has volunteered to assist in marketing and social media.

Regimental Wall Plaque: Earlier this year John Walker was presented a Regimental Wall Plaque to mount on the wall of the chalet he owns in Switzerland used by Regimental members on leave to ski. John reported that his ski chalet now looks like part of the Reed Museum.

The Way Ahead

Calendar of Events: 2015 Activities with Regiment – discuss and define: COL (Ret) Bob Young will host jump qualified 2d Cavalry Regiment jumpers at Normandy celebrating D-Day. He will be assisted by Board Member Bill Berry.

Additionally COL Young will be assisting a senior level terrain walk of Normandy for the Regimental leaders in September 2015.

Next Meeting: It will be held the week of 20-27 July; expect email with topics and discussion points. Inc

Meeting Closed: The Board meeting was closed at 12:05 pm EDT.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E Page -9

Fiddler’s Green

Editor Note: We attempt to include all members of the Association who have passed on as well as

former members of the Regiment who are known on Dragoon Base.

CW2 (Retired) Wilfred L. Collins was the unit supply sergeant when he was an SFC with C Troop, 1st

Battalion, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment at Christensen Barracks, Bindlach, from 1952-55. Wilfred was

born on August 6, 1927 in Macon, Georgia. With pride and honor he served our country in the United

States Army; he served during WW II (where he was a member of the Constabulary of the United

States), the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Era. Wilfred retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer

2. He also went on to retire from Packing and Receiving Logistics at Robins Air Force Base. His funeral

was held on March 19, 2014. Dave Gettman noted “Fred was on the Rock the same time my dad was

and we became friends on Dragoon Base.”

Roscoe W. Osborne, Troop E, 42d Constabulary Squadron, 2d Constabulary Regiment/2d Armored

Cavalry Regiment 1946-49. He passed away on April 26, 2014.

Charles K. Schaeffer, Troop B, 42d Constabulary Squadron, 2d Constabulary Regiment/2d Armored

Cavalry Regiment 1946-48. He passed away on October 31, 2014.

We honor the late Dona Schmidt, wife of Vern Schmidt of 68 years who died March 8, 2015. She was a

great supporter of Vern’s effort to return the Lippincott canteen; the story is in this edition. The

Association was represented by Desert Storm veteran Emil Bagalso, wearing his Stetson and Gold Spurs

who made brief remarks at her funeral.

Jesse Kelley, former SP/4 with F Troop 1972-75, longtime Dragoon Base member from the original site

and administrator at Dragoon Base II from the beginning, deployed on permanent change of station to

Fiddler's Green 28 April 2015. His friendship will be sorely missed.

SGM (Retired) Aaron James was born in July 1935 and passed away in February 2015; he was buried in

March in North Florida. A native of South Carolina, he entered the Army in 1954. During his varied Army

career Aaron served as the First Sergeant of A Troop 1st Squadron 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment in

Bindlach. There Aaron was a superlative 1SG mentor to his peers. With his wide experience, strong

leadership, and a willingness to share, Aaron was respected by all who knew him.

Following his tour in Bindlach, 1SG James served as 1SG for HHT, 6th Combat Aviation Brigade and was

selected for promotion along with three of his peers from Bindlach. He retired from the Army in 1984.

LTC (Retired) Thomas M. Brossart of Mount Airy, OH passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 19,

2015 at his residence. He was the husband of Kathleen Susan Newton Brossart, his wife of 37 years. In

addition to being a loving husband to Kathy, he was a devoted father to Alexander and Jack.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 10

Born on December 17, 1955, in Cincinnati, OH Tom grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and he attended the

University of Cincinnati where he became the friend of the late Tom Stewart who guided him through

ROTC, camp, and commissioning as an Armor Lieutenant... The two became lifelong friends, and Tom

Brossart served under Tom Stewart as his S-3 in Bamberg. They reunited often at Association reunions

where many memories and much hilarity were shared.

Tom served 20 years in the United States Army as a cavalry officer with assignments in 2d Squadron 2d

Armored Cavalry Regiment, Bamberg, Germany; 1/10th Cavalry, Fort Carson, Colorado; and 3rd

Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bliss, Texas. He also served as the American exchange officer with the

British Army. His body is pending internment at Arlington National Cemetery in late spring or early

summer.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 11

MSG (Retired) Merritt Powell, RIP

“We lost a magnificent Cavalryman May 10, 2015. For many years until traveling got to be too much for

him, Merritt Powell volunteered at his own expense to go all over the country and often overseas to

play his bagpipes at 2d Cavalry ceremonies and funerals.

He first joined the Regiment as a young PFC at Merrill Barracks in 1954 with Battery B, 70th Armored

Field Artillery Battalion, which became 1st Howitzer Battery while Merritt was with them. He was

standing on the parade field in uniform 50 years later when Howitzer Battery’s colors were cased at Fort

Polk, Louisiana to become 4th Squadron Artillery Hell.

A retired attorney and long time life member of the 2d Cavalry Association, Merritt was instrumental

with the legal aspects of incorporating the 2d Cavalry Association. His dedication, devotion, service and

contributions to both the 2d Cavalry Regiment and the 2d Cavalry Association are unmatched. He will

be sorely mixed.” David Gettman, Dragoon Base

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 12

67th Colonel and past Association President Tom Molino: “Merritt was instrumental in dragging the

Association into the Information Age by reformatting all our legal documents to be compliant with the

IRS and Florida law where he incorporated us and served as our resident agent and attorney until his

passing.” An accomplishment not to be overlooked in an all volunteer veteran’s organization.

“One year (2000?) we were tasked to support three (3) parades in New Orleans with both the

Regimental Color Guard and the Regimental Pipes and Drums…We had very little time to be tourists as

Pipe Major Forrest Taylor and Pipe Major Merritt Powell were hard task masters. No bar hopping but

we did make a day for history as we went to visit the D-Day Museum.

“From there we walked down the street to visit the Confederate Memorial Hall Museum. We all ended

up talking to the Museum Director, who was ironing period dresses for the upcoming parade. When she

found out we would be playing in the parade she asked if we knew how to play Dixie.

“Of course, Merritt and Forrest did. She asked if we would play it as we marched around General Lee's

statue in Lee Circle, just a short ways from the Museum. Merritt was all for it, while Forrest explained

that he did not think it would be appropriate for Yankee Cavalry to render such an honor. So on the

day of the Parade, as we march past the Museum we realize that Lee Circle is just around the corner.

While marching it is hard to see the faces of the others in formation but I think we could all sense the

twinkle in Merritt's eyes. Forrest managed to get a short admonishment out that was quickly drowned

out as Merritt energized his drones and began to play. Needless to say, the crowd loved it!” Bill

Heidner, Board of Governors

The funeral was held in Florida on Tuesday May 19, 2015. Association President Bill Bewley attended on

behalf of the Association. “[A] very dignified event attended by family, friends, his fellow SF soldiers

and funeral detail from Fort Stewart. I was the ‘lead speaker’ which went well and I [was] very honored

to have represented the regiment and our Association at Merritt's farewell. His wife was pleased I was

there because as she said, ‘that is what Merritt would have wanted.’ Mission accomplished!” Bill

Bewley, Association President

Merritt, a former Special Forces Noncommissioned Officer, was sent off on his journey by a rifle firing

squad made up for all retired former Special Forces officers and noncommissioned officers. The array of

Green Beret’s was noticeable with a few Cavalry Stetsons. Thank you Merritt for all you contributed. We

will miss you and your RV at the Association reunion in October; you will not be forgotten.

The top photo was taken while we were supporting a Change of Command ceremony at the small ceremony field located next to the Regimental HQ's at Polk. Not sure if it was a Troop / Company /

Battery Change or a Squadron level event. Merritt Powell is front on the right side of the photo.

The bottom photo is of the entire Band (Regimental Pipes and Drums of the 2d Regiment of Dragoons) at a Mardi Gras Parade at Bogalusa LA circa 1999.

Photos and captions provided by fellow Piper, Bill Heidner.

Page 12C

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring Edition Page E-14

2d Cavalry Regimental Patton Hall Classroom Sponsorship

The Office of the Chief of Armor, on behalf of the Armor School offered both the 2d and 11th Cavalry

Regiment Associations the opportunity to sponsor a classroom in Patton Hall at Fort Benning. Each

identically sized classroom is primarily used to teach officers and selective noncommissioned officer

classes. Our Association has selected a medium sized room (upgraded from a small classroom).

Since then donation commitments have been made by several Association members. This is to inform

members of the Association some idea of what has been identified thus far.

The room will be divided into historical eras. We currently have nothing representing the Regiment’s

founding in 1836 and the Seminole Wars but we are working on it. The estate of former Board member

and Thoroughbred Editor Tom Stewart has donated a framed print representing the Regiment during

the Mexican War (1846-48).

A framed set of Regimental Colors donated by the 66th Colonel John Eberle will be hung. Eberle also

provided a full sized set of Regimental Colors that can be used in the classroom as needed. A variety of

Regimental Art and memorabilia will be prominently displayed throughout the classroom. The art

pieces and their donors are mentioned below. A framed print of “Artist-in-Residence” Jamie Warner’s

Dragoon for Life has been donated by Association President Bill Bewley. Never a Complaint, a framed

Don Stivers print representing the Regiment’s winter march in Utah prior to the Civil War has been

donated by the 67th Colonel Tom Molino. He also donated the Civil War Stiver’s print Going into Action a

print honoring K Company at First Bull Run. A second Civil War print is a framed Stiver’s Sergeant’s Valor

print to, in Tom Molino’s words “honor all the great Noncommissioned Officers who supported me

throughout the years.”

To remind students and visitors of our time in the west after the Civil War, Ned Devereaux and 70th

Colonel Doug Lute have donated Stiver’s print Top and another Jamie Warner print Cav Country with a C

Troop guidon. As it currently stands, we have nothing yet to represent either the Spanish American War

or World War I. If you have something apropos to those times to donate please contact Ned Devereaux.

World War II will be represented by another donation by Tom Molino, Rescuing the Lipizzaners.

The Cold War year’s is currently a focus by the Classroom coordinator. A future addition will be a framed

map of the various border and garrison camps. In the meantime, Tom Molino will donate and we will

mount a presentation box with the Regimental Standard that flew over Merrill Barracks and the

Regimental HQ’s at Fort Lewis and Fort Polk. Colonel Eberle will also donate a framed print honoring the

end of separation of eastern and western Europe.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring Edition E-Page 15

Also during our border years, in 1986 a print was made honoring our 150th anniversary by the Armor

School. A framed and colored version is also being donated by Ned Devereaux.

A final framed Stiver’s print will be Tawakalna Sunset again donated by Colonel Molino. Close by will be

another Jamie Warner framed print 2D Cavalry Legacy Continues that honors our Regiment’s service

during the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and our service in Vilseck.

We have a pledge for a one-of-a-kind print by the resident Armor School artist Jodie Harmon that we

will frame and mount for display. We should have space to show some Association awards and other

appropriate memorabilia. One of those already in the works is a collection of a number of Regimental

Commander coins, matted and framed as a display that will join the rest of the art work at the front of

the classroom.

The Association’s suspense to have the various donations shipped to Fort Benning, Office of the Chief of

Armor, is the end of July. This allows for the Office of the Chief of Armor to add the donations to their

property books, and then hand receipt out the artwork to the classroom manager at Patton Hall for

display.

Costs for framing currently unframed works will be borne by the Association. The Association will also

pay for the shipping of the donations from the Donors. Donors will be recognized by brass plates

mounted on the donated item will be the initial recognition. We will also develop a “Heritage Book”

explaining the historical meaning of the art work, name of the donor, and other related material for the

serious viewer. A budget item for the Regimental Classroom display for shipping and limited framing

has already been established.

If you have any questions, comments, need any clarifications or you think you have something you

might wish to donate, contact me at neddevereaux@comcast.net

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Pages 16

Regimental Names in the News

Gainey Cup 2015 competition winners from the Fourth Squadron are SSG Kyle Cooper; SGT Cesar

Cavazos; Specialist’s Glen Gianello and Joshua Castro, PFC’s Justin Cope and Daniel Casillas along with

Team Coach SFC Jimmy Wiesner. The Squadron team competed against eighteen other scout squads

Army-wide including a squad from the Canadian Army. The four day competition for the best Scout

Squad in the Army is named after former Regimental CSM William J. “Joe” Gainey.

CSM (Retired) Gainey, who was present at Fort Benning for the competition, had a long list of career

military accomplishments, capping off as being the first senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the

Joint Chiefs of Staff serving with US Marine General Peter Pace. (See related story in this electronic

edition on the Gainey Cup).

Lance T. Dyckman, Museum Technician, Reed Museum and 2d Regiment of Dragoons Heritage Center is

recognized for his article, published in the Spring edition of On Point: The Journal of Army History,

entitled “The Reed Museum and 2d Regiment of Dragoons Heritage Center, Vilseck, Germany” article.

You can access more information on the Museum and Heritage Center by exploring their Facebook page

at https://www.facebook.com/ReedMuseum.

John A. Best, former Dragoon Ready Reserve Commander at Vilseck is currently attending the US Army

War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. He was promoted to Colonel effective 1 May 2015. We join in

congratulating him on his promotion and his new assignment. He has been nominated as the Deputy

Commander, Canadian Doctrine and Training Centre, Kingston, Ontario.

Their mission is similar to the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) where they plan and

manage the intellectual development and training of the Canadian Army. This also includes the “Peace

Support Training Centre,” especially critical given the various peacekeeping missions performed by

Canadian forces and the Canadian Army Command and General Staff College.

Colonel Douglas V. Mastriano “…for receiving the [Norwich University’s] 2015 William E. Colby Award

winner for his book Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne. The book also won the

Crader Prize for American Values, the US Army War College Madigan Award and the Army Historical

Foundation Book Award Commissioned in 1986 [he] began his career in the 2d Armored Cavalry

Regiment in Germany,” and served with the Regiment in Desert Storm. Colonel Mastriano, while

finishing his book in 2013, attended and briefed the Association members at our Gettysburg reunion. A

longer story can be found at the Society for Military History quarterly Headquarter Gazette, spring 2015.

Lewis (Bob) Sorley, a renowned US military historian last October 2014 presented a talk entitled “Pride

and Sorrow: Reflections on the Vietnam War” at the Army-Navy Club in Washington DC. His was the last

talk in a three year program on the history of our war in Vietnam. Bob was kind enough to send me a

copy of his talk and I hope to develop an article on his talk for a future edition.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 17

Kevin M. Woods, PhD, a former member of the “Dragoon Air Force” at Feith Army Airfield circa 1984-

1988 (and Association Member) is cited on the publication of his 2014 book The Iran-Iraq War: A

Military and Strategic History, along with co-author Williamson Murray.

A reviewer in the Journal of Military History wrote: “… [They] have produced a concise, well-done

history of the Twentieth Century’s longest and least-understood wars. In so doing, they have begun to

fill a major void in our understanding of the events in the Persian Gulf that lie at the root of America’s

painful, endless entanglement there.”

Editor’s Note: Kevin was also a presenter at the April 2015 annual meeting of the Society for Military

History in Montgomery, Alabama. Former 1st Squadron S-1 and D Company commander Steve Borque

was a moderator, and I was in the audience. Both were excellent presentations.

Donald C. Caughey, a long time member of the 2d Cavalry and his co-writer Jimmy J. Jones had in 2013

their book The 6th United States Cavalry in the Civil War: A History and Roster published. This was a

long-term project by Don. It is an important addition to our knowledge of the cavalry in the Civil War

and their part in the Reserve Brigade. (And yes Don, I now have a copy of your book—Editor)

Jane Holl Lute, wife of 70th Colonel Doug Lute was recently selected as the new Chief Executive Officer

for The Center for Internet Security (CIS). CIS is a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the

cybersecurity readiness and response in both the private and public sector based in New York State.

CSM John W. Troxell, former RCSM at both Fort Polk and Fort Lewis has departed as I Corps CSM and is

now US Forces Korea CSM. We wanted to recognize his service with the Regiment and his continued

promotions to positions of greater authority.

“SGT David Cabellero of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment carries a simulated casualty during Operation Atlantic

Resolve in Poland.” Caption for a photo of SGT Cabellero in Army Magazine’s “Final Shot,” page 80,

June 2015.

Finally while reading the June 2015 AUSA NEWS I couldn’t help but notice a picture of a soldier standing

in the back of a Stryker from 2/2 Cav, G-52. I think it’s a mortar carrier firing somewhere in USAREUR. I

mention it in part because Army Magazine has published several articles referring to the 2d Cavalry over

the past few years. As I was in Company G in 1959, and in 3rd Squadron so I was pleased to note these

two photos in this edition of The Thoroughbred. The Editor.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Pages 18

COL Chris Boyle took command of the Warrior Transition Brigade at Walter Reed Medical Center on

January 15, 2015. COL Boyle is former 4th Squadron Commander and truly a great Cavalryman who is a

perfect choice for the very challenging mission of commanding the Warrior Transition Brigade and

caring for wounded warriors and their families. The 2D Cavalry Association was well represented at this

magnificent event. Our attendees included LTG (Ret) Terry Wolff (71st COL of the Regiment and our

new Association Chairman), MG(Ret) Rob Goff, COL Tom Molino (67th COL of the Regiment), LTC (P)

Sam Lee (Chaplain on Active Duty), LTC (Ret) Bill Bewley (Association President and former C&C

Commander) and Chris Golden (Association Executive Director and former F Troop Commander). We all

wish Chris Boyle and his wife Sue an enjoyable and successful command tour.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Pages 19

The 2015 Gainey Cup Award Winners

“The six-man squad from the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment took home the hardware at the 2015 Gainey Cup scout squad competition at Fort Benning…” Columbus (GA) Dispatch, May 8, 2015. This year’s competition was held from May 4th to the 8th at the Armor School.

The Gainey Cup, named after former Regimental CSM William J. “Joe” Gainey, is an annual six-man scout

squad competition. Gainey, who was present at Fort Benning during the competition and awarding the

winner’s has a long list of career accomplishments, capped off as being the first senior enlisted advisor

to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serving with US Marine General Peter Pace.

The 4th Squadron winning team was coached by Sgt First Class Jimmy Wiesner and lead by Staff Sgt Kyle

Cooper. The Squad was made up of Sgt Cesar Cavazos, Specialist Glen Gianello, Specialist Joshua Castro,

PFC Daniel Casillas and PFC Justin Cope.

The Squadron team competed against eighteen other scout squads Army-wide including a squad from

the Canadian Army in “a healthy, competitive environment” The term “grueling competition” is not

used but is probably a more accurate description of what the teams face. Among the events

encountered over four days of competition, the scout squads were tested in live fire, obstacle courses,

and reconnaissance and land navigation.

From the 4th Squadron Facebook page:

“The 2CR was allowed to send one scout squad from their Reconnaissance Squadron consisting of

infantry and Armor Soldiers.

‘This team was selected based on their chain of command’s observations of their performance,’ said Lt

Col Jonathan Due, squadron commander, ‘Staff Sergeant Cooper and his crew started to set themselves

apart based on their technical knowledge, tactical knowledge and their performance that began with

their crew level gunnery and expanded out.’

‘We learned doctrine by the book and we rehearsed everything. Every task we’d come up to, every

worst case scenario’ said Wiesner, ‘we rehearsed we’d lose a guy.’ The hours of training and rehearsals

seemingly made all the difference as PFC Cope came down with a back injury early on the first day. Due

to painful back spasms, he was unable to carry his full load. With the squad unwilling to carry on without

the full team, they redistributed his weight and carried on while he healed. ‘These guys helped me

recover; they carried most of my weight until I could heal,’ said Cope, ‘we overcame.’

Without having won a single event outright, the 4th Squadron Team won the competition. In the end

consistency won the day by leaving the team with the highest average score. ‘It means they were good

across a broad scope of what we ask our Scouts to do,’ said Due ‘it means they were consistently good.’

Volume IV, Issue 18 E-Pages 20

In the end, the team contributed their success to going back to the basics, hard work, and above all,

teamwork.

‘We did everything together as a team,’ said Gianello, ‘We came from different places, most of us, we

got really close together, we really wanted to win.’”

Placing second and third, and separated by only a slight percentage, were teams from the 1-75 Cavalry,

101st Airborne Division and 2-15 Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.

Following the winning announcement, and the presentation of awards one observer described as “a

bucket load of goodies,” the 2d Cavalry Association held a Stable Call to honor the 4th Squadron team

and all current and former members of the Regiment. The Electronic edition of The Thoroughbred has a

picture section for their viewing pleasure.

The Association additionally will present each member of the team and their coach an especially

designed, one of a kind, wall plaque, honoring this major accomplishment. Job well done; mission

accomplished.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 21

Stable Call Post Gainey Cup Fort Benning

4/2 Scout Team – 2015 Gainey Cup Winners

CSM Joe Gainey – Recognizing the Gainey Cup Winners

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 22

Operation Atlantic Resolve

It was a comment in passing by Ryan Meyer in his Museum Report that mentioned Operation Atlantic

Resolve that got me onto Facebook to see what the active Regiment has been doing so far this year.

This article addresses briefly each of the Squadrons.

Because of the great press 3d Squadron (Wolf Pack) received on their Dragoon Ride including positive

comments from the New York Times, we thought we ought to summarize this effort first.

With Russia creating havoc in the Ukraine, it is United States policy to make “a viable demonstration of

United States commitment to the security of NATO allies.” The United States Army Europe (USAREUR)

has taken the lead “enhanced land force multinational training and security cooperation activities.” This

is across the Department of Defense, and specifically includes rotating small units, usually battalion size,

into USAREUR areas for training with European forces.

For the Regiment in 2015 this has included training in and with forces place across Estonia, Latvia,

Lithuania and Poland to the north, and Bulgaria and Romania in the south in Eastern Europe, and in

Hohenfels for the Saber Junction part of the overall Operation Atlantic Resolve.

2d Squadron (Cougars): The 2d Squadron arrived in Romania in early March 2015 to being training with

Romanian forces. As of May 21, the 2d Squadron just completed a two day journey entitled “Cavalry

March” where the Squadron drove some 400 kilometers (240 miles) through Romania, often over

rugged terrain. According to a recent Public Affairs release: “During the Cavalry March, 2nd Squadron

made its way through several different townships and cities, stopping off in places such as Ploiesti and

Sinaia to interact with Romanian citizens while also demonstrating their ability to conduct long range

operations.”

The news release went on to acknowledge: “Throughout the trip, several events allowed for the

Troopers to introduce the people of Romania to the different sides of today's U.S. military that many

civilians don't get to see. Romanians were able to interact with the Soldiers while being given tours of

their Stryker Combat Vehicles and equipment. “

3rd Squadron (Wolf Pack): While the 2d Squadron was in Romania, the 3d Squadron rotated into Poland

and the three Baltic states from Vilseck replacing 1st Squadron 1st Cavalry from the US in late January

2015. The Squadron rail loaded their Stryker Combat Vehicles and road marched other and headed east

and north. Soon the 400+ Troopers from 3d Squadron were training with host nation army units in the

three Baltic states. The purpose was in part to integrate the Stryker Combat Vehicles into the training

thus improving tactical interoperability within NATO.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 23

A recent press release addressed the road march: “The capstone of the 2d Cavalry Regiment's

involvement in Operation Atlantic Resolve was their 1,863 kilometer road march, from Estonia back to

Vilseck. Respectively named Dragoon Ride, it took the unit's Stryker Combat Vehicles across six allied

countries, coming into the Czech Republic on three different routes in 11 days.

Altogether the convoy consisted of approximately 100 vehicles and included around 60 Stryker Armored

Vehicles.

NATO, U.S. Air Force jets and U.S. Army helicopters supported the march by providing aerial

reconnaissance and resupply to the squadron as they moved across eastern Europe.

“The success of Dragoon Ride was a visible demonstration of NATO nations' ability to work in close

cooperation with each other, and its ability to move combat forces across the alliance quickly.

The completion of Dragoon Ride marked yet another hand over as 3d Squadron 2d Cavalry Regiment

transferred the Atlantic Resolve mission to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division,

from Fort Stewart, Georgia.”

Busy times for 2d and 3d Squadrons. Please see companion articles, Operation Saber Junction and on

the Dragoon Ride commorative coin.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 Page 23A

Dragoon Ride Recognition Coin

The Association, as part of our efforts to aid and assist the active Regiment in recognizing our Cavalry

Troopers agreed to assist in funding a special numbered recognition coin to be issued to each participant

in “Dragoon Ride.” A limited number of coins will be available for purchase by Association Members.

Details to follow.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 24

Operation Saber Junction

Editor--Since just after 9/11 the Regiment’s training has focused on Iraq and Afghanistan. Now the focus

has shifted again, back to the basics, and the need to focus on both individual as well as collective

training for overall mission readiness. Whether it be responding to a chemical attack or clearing a

minefield, leader training in generic leadership tasks, it is all part of a changing training environment.

Under the guise of Operation Saber Junction, an annual training event much of the Regiment

participated in the Hohenfels phase for maneuver training with follow up live firing at our major training

complex at Grafenwohr. The intent of this article is to present a current picture of what is happening to

our Regiment in Europe, drawn from various press releases, and written in bits and pieces.

For those of us who served with the Regiment in its Constabulary and Cold War phase, Hohenfels has

changed dramatically and singly focused on maneuver training in a “world-class training environment.”

This includes many of the same command and control technology used at the National Training Center at

Fort Irwin, including Observer-Controller teams. The training conducted is about as close to real combat

that can be accomplished in peacetime.

It’s important to note that this year Operation Saber Junction was a NATO effort involving members and

others, and they were seeing the best training scenarios as possible. Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia,

Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania,

Turkey, Sweden, and the United States all participated. 4,700 soldiers participated with our Regiment

was the largest single US contingent; some countries sent as few as a hundred.

One Hohenfels trainer was quoted as saying in a press release: "Our entire goal here is to build and train

an organization that is decisive and able to operate in a multinational environment. He went on to say:

“As sustainment trainers, our job is to ensure that the task force…is able to support an array of forces,

including NATO forces with all types of supplies."

All seven squadrons, the three infantry centric, reconnaissance, and Regimental support squadrons (i.e.,

artillery, engineer, and support) accomplished a variety of tasks under different scenarios. One press

release described the scenarios as “…including clearing routes, quickly establishing base camps and

emplacing obstacles. Through it all, the multinational forces work side by side, learning one another's

operating tactics and techniques.”

From various press releases:

“Allowing safe movement of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment's infantry squadrons to and through the

battlefield takes careful training, refined skills and specialized equipment. That is where the Regimental

Engineering Squadron comes in.”

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 25

One of the Engineer Squadron NCO’s was quoted:

"I think this is a blessing to have this opportunity, to have this great training environment, to have the

Allied forces with us, to be ready for any future operation. Anything could happen," said Staff Sgt.

Marvin Blaise, acting 1st Platoon sergeant for Alpha Troop, Regimental Engineering Squadron.

2nd Cavalry Regiment Soldiers with Shadow Platoon, Military Intelligence Troop, Regimental Engineering

Squadron… [with their]… RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles. The plane may be small, with a

wingspan of a mere 20 feet, but it provides immeasurable value in a wartime situation.

“Upon the request of commanders on the ground, the platoon deploys the Shadow to specific grid

coordinates over the training area to scan for enemy activity as part of the force-on-force role-playing

scenarios taking place. The commanders then know if oppositional forces are moving their direction,

and they have a better feel for the battle space.”

The regiment's Regimental Support Squadron trained to coordinate and communicate logistics. As on a

battlefield and they added to their challenge distance. “The support unit is 30 minutes away from the

decisive action units, who are on the front lines of the exercise. This distance of separation simulates

real-life situations, testing the squadron's ability to coordinate tactical movements to support fighting

forces.”

“The U.S. Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment serves as the primary support element for the training. Medical

support, specifically, is provided by C Troop, Regimental Support Squadron.”

The US tactical movements were carried out by the 1st and 4th Squadrons. They faced an opposing force

of the 4th Infantry stationed at Hohenfels, and the realistic scenarios included “…150 others role playing

as civilians on the battlefield in the small villages scattered throughout the 163-square-kilometer

training area.”

1st Squadron (War Eagles) included range firing in Grafenwohr (part of Saber Junction) was a key activity

to train with detached Troops and a battery from the Field Artillery Squadron. Congratulations on

Bravo Battery and Comanche Troop for being featured in a USAREUR press release.

The 4th Squadron (Sabers) also participated in Operation Saber Junction in Hohenfels as well.

The Regimental Headquarters found themselves commanding in Vilseck, Hohenfels, the Baltic States,

Poland, and Romania during the month of April. It was a challenging month, but what else can one

expect given the history of the 2d Dragoons to today’s name, 2d Cavalry Regiment.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 26

Reed Museum Update Spring 2015 by Ryan Meyer, Director, Reed Museum.

Greetings from the Reed Museum!

It has been an a while since I have sent an update from the museum, as always there is a lot going and I

will do my best to hit some key events:

First and foremost I am excited to welcome our new Museum Technician Lance Dyckman. Lance

recently retired from the US Army and served in the 2d Cavalry Regiment (2nd Squadron) from 2006-

2009. He brings a lot of to the office with his extensive knowledge of US military history and weapons,

uniforms and equipment.

We are getting close to our museum certification inspection, which should be happening around the

first week of June. This is a program implemented by the Center for Military History with a mission to

ensure the field museums are adhering to modern museum standards. The biggest advantage, once we

pass, is that we will be certified by the US Army as an Official US Army Museum (right now we are a

museum activity). If we succeed it will be the first time that the Reed Museum has been certified as an

official museum. We are very confident and excited about this new chapter in our history.

As many of you know the 2d Cavalry is actively engaged in Operation Atlantic Resolve, we are working

with the squadron’s to insure their great work is being documented and added to our proud history at

the museum. We are actively collecting artifacts and working on a new exhibit area that will talk about

the different aspects of our roll in this operation.

In a few weeks we will have our museum grade storage shelves, these will allow us to better house the

artifact collection in order to better preserve our collection for future generations, and it will also allow

us much needed space for our growing collection.

Last but not least we found this interesting map from World War II. These types of maps are often seen

for Division level organizations and are often in color. They were printed at the end of World War II as a

keepsake for soldiers to take home with them. We were excited to see one for the 2d Cavalry Group but

this appears to be a copy and not the original. So we were wondering if anyone out there remembers

these or has an original. (see attached graphic)

We are always looking for photographs, letters, diaries, stories, and unique items from the Regiment’s

history. If you have some items from your service and would consider donating it to the museum please

contact me via email at ryan.t.meyer2.civ@mail.mil

I hope everyone has a great spring and summer!

Toujours Pret! Ryan Meyers

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 27

The Old West: Second Cavalry Post Civil War Highlights

Why Move West?

With the Civil War finally over, their time at Monrovia Station, Maryland was spent recruiting and

training. Then the Regiment received orders to return from whence it came in 1861, to the Great Plains.

The Regiment moved via river to Fort Leavenworth Kansas where it was dispersed into ten different

locations, eight of which were initially in Kansas, plus one in Colorado (Fort Lyon) and in Nebraska (Fort

Kearney). As a comparison to today’s various Regimental missions in Europe, the Regiment would not

muster again as a Regiment until the start of the Spanish-American War in 1898.

The Regiment would be scattered over six territories in the west; these included the Dakota Territory

(North and South Dakota plus Wyoming), Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska. And Kansas, admitted to

the Union in 1861, perhaps better known during the lead-up to the Civil War as “Bleeding Kansas.”

Kansas is as good a place to start looking at the “Old West” of any of the lands west of the Mississippi

river.

Immediately after the Civil War, Kansas drew thousands of immigrants with offers of free land and the

opportunity to build a new life. This included many veterans, white and black, building homesteads in

Kansas. Immigrants from Europe also added to the building of not only Kansas, but in the open

territories as well. Note 1.

The immigrants were not the only reasons for the Regiment to be serving in the west. The Homestead

Acts, initially signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, allowed for granting land to supporters of

the United States. The initial act allowed for granting 165 acres to be “homesteaded” and immigrants

took advantage of the opportunity for land. Note 2.

Trans-continental railroads were encouraged to build lines to access both coastal Oregon and California.

Using land grants of free land as an enticement, gave the railroads the opportunity to further offer up

land to immigrants and to increase the railroad’s profitability. The now Washington Territory was also

ripe for railroad development.

Gold and silver, discovered in many places throughout the west was an enticement for many former

Union and Confederate soldiers. This offered the opportunity to become rich beyond measure, or so

they thought. Note 3.

And finally, the Indians had been relatively quiet during the Civil War in part, because of previous treaty

agreements like the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie between tribes in the plains and northern Rocky

Mountains that allowed road building and having US troops along the Oregon Trail. Not withstanding

agreements, the bottom line was competition between Native Americans in direct competition for the

resources and lands of the Rocky Mountain west and the Great Plains were aggravated by the expansion

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 28

of movement west, building of railroads, establishing supply connections to the west, and immigration

all contributed to the competition.

Google is a wonderful tool for authors. From a Wikipedia entry: “After 1865 national policy called for all

Indians either to assimilate into the general population as citizens, or to live peacefully on reservations.

Raids and wars between tribes were not allowed, and armed Indian bands off a reservation were the

responsibility of the Army to round up and return.” Note 4.

This article is in two parts. One is addressing the years 1865-66 with basic information of where the Regiment was, and their activities. It will include events up to and including the 6th of December, 1866. A companion article will address the events of the 21st of December, the Fetterman Massacre.

Moving West 1866

A commonality was the establishments of forts (“civilized outposts”) especially along trails leading to

Utah, California and the Oregon Territory. One of the first west of the Mississippi was Fort Leavenworth,

Kansas established in 1827. Among its many claims to fame, is Leavenworth was a basic start off point

for almost all movement west. It was here that one Squadron made up of Company’s G and I occupied

space. Another early fort, Riley, established in 1853 with the mission of protecting movement and trade

along the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails, received the Regimental Headquarters and band, along with

Company E. The remainder of the Regiment was sent to other places in Kansas (six locations) with a

Squadron of Company’s A and B at Fort Kearney, Nebraska and Fort Lyon, Colorado.

Again a commonality of locations selected included the fact that they were generally along a named

Trail (i.e., Oregon, Mormon, Santa Fe), and occupied terrain alongside rivers that could allow for

resupply, and more importantly water, so they could care for men and livestock. These [new] posts had

been designated by a volunteer general, G.M. Dodge, where he had placed volunteer troops under his

command. “They were entirely without protection of any kind, except canvas and underground huts

built by the volunteers. Being the pioneers of the army, the brunt of the hard work quarters were

thrown upon the regiment…”

“It was necessary for the troops to embark upon a building program using soldier labor…the troops

were…employed in cutting timber, quarrying stone, making adobe bricks, running saw mills, burning

brick and lime, and driving wagons…This was a common way of constructing new posts…” It was also

the way for improving older established posts. The Troopers were also being used as gardeners’, hay

and fuel gatherers, guards and general police call, but often drilling and training in soldier skills were

omitted because of the building demands. Note 5.

Desertion continued to be a problem created in part by the constant focus on being used as soldier labor

rather than focusing on cavalry skills and operations. Note 6.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 29

There Is Nothing Constant in This Army but Constant Change

“The summer of 1866 was one of hard work…” writes Alfred E. Bates, as the men prepared their

quarters for the cold winters that would be inflicted upon them. In September 1866, General Phil

Sheridan ordered the Regiment to shift from the Department of the Missouri to the Department of the

Platte. The newly organized 7th Cavalry filled in and was quick to appreciate the hard work and fine

comforts that the 2d Cavalry had prepared for them, and the 2d moved further west and started anew.

Why the move is unimportant. However, uniting the Regiment with a former Regimental Commander

General Philip St. George Cook, who was stationed at Fort Omaha, Nebraska, might have been seen as

an advantage to the Regiment. The Regiment was thus spread out with a focus on Wyoming (four forts),

plus one in Nebraska, and Colorado. But hard, backbreaking work, with winter approaching, for a

number of troops it was back to hard laboring rather than training to fight.

“At these posts the troops began the same routine of construction and labor as they had experienced in

Kansas during the past year…” Lambert goes on to write: “The Second Cavalry was now located in

strategic points between the plains and the Rockies. Fort Laramie was at the junction of the Laramie

and North Platte rivers. It was also at the junction of the Oregon and Bozeman Trails…plus the exit of

the South Pass.” Note 7.

Fort Laramie would have the Regimental headquarters, band and six companies. Co-located at Fort

Laramie was a large contingent of infantry soldiers from the 18th Infantry Regiment. Other forts with

one company included Fort’s McPherson, Nebraska (A and B Company’s) at the junction of the Laramie

and North Platte rivers; Fort Sedgwick, Colorado was located to protect both the Bozeman Trail (that ran

from the Oregon Trail and the gold mines of Montana) and the Overland Trail that ran through central

Wyoming.

Fort’s Sanders (Wyoming) (Company G), Sedgwick (Colorado) (Company M), and McPherson (Nebraska)

were “on the projected route of the transcontinental railroad.” Single company forts like Fort Casper

on the North Platte River and along the Oregon Trail and occupied by Company E; Fort Phil Kearney

along the Bozeman Trail was home to Company C in November 1866. Both these forts were part of the

Wyoming grouping of forts as well.

Two Early Cavalry Engagements

In early October 1866 Lieutenant Horatio S. Bingham, part of C Company was sent out with a

detachment to reclaim some stock (horses, mules, oxen and cattle) taken by some Indians in the vicinity

of Fort Laramie. One Indian was killed and the stock recaptured. Shortly thereafter Bingham and C

Company moved from Fort Laramie to Fort Phil Kearney, arriving on November 3d.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 30

Company M, on the other hand, had just arrived at Fort Sedgwick when a detachment of twenty five

under the command of Lieutenant George A. Armes was sent to recover a herd of mules and oxen run

off by some fifty Sioux Indians. According to historian Joseph Lambert, they started around four am,

traveled some ninety miles arriving late evening, when they encountered the Sioux resting in tepees.

Armes split his men, made a surprise attack, with one group of Company M keeping the Indians from

their ponies. With the stolen stock and Indian pony’s under their control, the men of Company M

headed back to their fort.

“The detachment turned home that same night and arrived there the next afternoon, having fought a

skirmish and traveled some one hundred and seventy miles in thirty-seven hours. Because it was

necessary to cross the North Platte several times, the men traveled most of the distance in wet clothes.

The Indians left…four killed and seven wounded, and Lieutenant Armes had two men killed and ten

horses wounded.” Lambert goes on to write: “As a result of this engagement that officer recommended

that the revolver be issued to troops.” This is also the first formal recognition of post Civil War

campaigns by historian and former Regimental Commander Theophilus F. Rodenbough. Note 8.

The 18th Infantry Regiment

In the summer of 1866, the 18th Infantry Regiment, under the command of Colonel Henry B. Carrington,

was given the mission to build and man three posts along an arc in Wyoming making up what the Army

called the Powder River District along the Bozeman Trail, a spin off from the Oregon Trail heading to

Montana gold rush territory. These forts, named Reno (which required rebuilding), Phil Kearney, and

C.F. Smith with Reno at a crossing of the Powder River, Phil Kearney some sixty-five miles up the road

(north of today’s Buffalo, Wyoming), and Smith on the Big Horn River. Carrington brought 700 soldiers

and some 300 civilians with him to man the three Forts and conduct tactical operations against the

Indians.

Fort Phil Kearney, right in the middle, was manned with some three hundred soldiers of his 2d Battalion

and the bulk of the civilians. The Forts essential marked a line between the Sioux and the Crow,

hereditary enemies, with the Sioux being the greater threat. And the Sioux were a threat.

Lambert writes: “…Carrington had occupied the post since its beginning in July. Construction was still in

progress, necessitating logging operations some seven miles from the post. So closely had the Sioux

drawn their lines about the garrison that hay could not be cut or trees felled without a heavy guard

accompanying the workmen. In fact, this post was generally in a state of siege…” Note 9.

Rodenbough quotes Bate’s in his recollections: “…Carrington, whose idea of war was purely a defensive

one, stockage his posts, and, with his infantry, sat down to guard them. Excepting when sent as escorts,

no one ever saw the outside of the stockades; while Indians appeared from day to day, showing their

appreciation for the troops by various but not complimentary signs, gestures, etc…” Note 10.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 31

C Company, under Lieutenant Bingham, numbering 63 men, arrived at Fort Phil Kearney without

incident. Accompanying the cavalry were Infantry Captains James J. Fetterman and James W. Powell,

assigned to Fort Kearney from the 18th Infantry's headquarters garrison at Fort Laramie. Fetterman had

been a Brevet Lieutenant Colonel from his Civil War days and he was ready to fight in an aggressive

manner. And fight he did with the first serious action at Peno Creek.

Peno Creek

The skirmish at Peno Creek on the afternoon of December 6, 1866 in the vicinity of Fort Phil Kearney

involved the wood train being attacked by the Sioux. A signal was relayed from a lookout which caused

Captain Fetterman with twenty mounted infantrymen, assisted by another twenty man detachment

from Company C under Bingham and an Infantry Lieutenant named Grummond “…were ordered to

relieve the wood train and drive the Indians toward Peno Valley…”

At the same time, Colonel Carrington, leading another twenty mounted infantrymen would move on an

alternate route to intercept the Indians. The Indians gave way to the Fetterman led forty men but

moved to a more defensive position. There Lieutenant’s Bingham and Grummond became separated

from their men of C Company and Bingham killed.

Lambert: “The fighting here was so fierce that part of this detachment [Company C] being mostly

recruits and without officers, gave way.” It was at this juncture that Colonel Carrington and his twenty

men arrived from the Indian rear, engaging them. The Indians beat a hasty retreat. However, Colonel

Carrington did not change from his strict defensive mind-set; and expeditions were still only sent a few

miles from the fort. Note 11.

And it was only a few miles away that on December 21, 1966 would be remembered as the day of the

Fetterman Massacre. Please see the companion article.

Notes

Note 1: Many African Americans established “black colonies in the state... [and]…leaving southern states in the

late 1870s because of increasing discrimination.” Wikipedia. It was also from African Americans living in Kansas

that the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, “Buffalo Soldiers” were recruited.

Note 2: The amount of land was later increased to 320 acres, and in the early 1900’s, to 640 acres. The granting of

free land was a major contributor to bringing immigrants and people living in cities to the Great Plains resulting in

time by adding eight states to the Union.

Note 3. These included the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush of 1859, gold discovered in Montana in 1862-63 resulting in the

Bozeman Trail, and in the Black Hills in 1875-78 all led to battles between the settlers (i.e., miners, ranchers,

homesteaders) and the Native American tribes.

Note 4. From a Wikipedia entry.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 32

Note 5 Theophilus F. Rodenbough, From Everglades to Canyon with the Second United States Cavalry, “ Bates’

Recollections—On ‘The Platte.’”, p. 372-3. The book may be obtained from the University of Oklahoma Press. It is

recommended for any 2d Cavalry historian.

Note 6. Desertion remained a problem even given the level of leadership present in units. In researching this

article, I could not help but note the level of leadership experience provided by the officer corps. Civil War

commander and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel George A. Gordon, was now back commanding the Squadron level

(Company’s K and L) as a Captain during December 1865-August 1866 on the frontier is just one example. Major

Joseph I. Lambert, One Hundred Years With The Second Cavalry; pages 94-95 addresses desertion. Lambert’s

book has been reprinted by the Newton Publishing Company of San Antonio, Texas. This is also recommended but

difficult to find the 1999 reprint.

Note 7. Lambert, p. 95. For clarification purposes, the South Pass was a point in the Rocky Mountains in

southwestern Wyoming and was a natural crossing point for routes on the Oregon, California and Mormon trails.

Note 8. Lambert, p.. 96. Wikipedia cites John D. McDermott’s A Guide to Indians Wars of the West Lincoln: University of

Nebraska Press, 1998, (p.156) some fifty incidents involving attacks on the fort and those laboring on building the

fort gathering resources. This action, designated the first in fourteen clashes from 1866 to 1874, became the first

campaign designation of “North Platte.” See Rodenbough, p. 435 for the complete campaign list.

Note 9. Lambert. Page 97. Lambert commented: “From the arrival of the troops until the close of the year…Indian

warriors killed one hundred fifty-four persons, wounded twenty, and drove away hundreds of head of stock belong

to citizens in the area.

Note 10: Rodenbough, p. 376. Bates goes on to comment that Carrington requested unavailable reinforcements, but more

importantly, chose to “ensure the safety of his garrison…verses protecting the route [trail] north. The young officers were riled

up, ready to take on the Indians, and this fact alone contributes to the negative events that soon took place.

Note 11. Lambert, p. 97-98.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Pages 33

The Fetterman Massacre

Around eleven am, a lookout on top a low rise named the Sullivant Hills, “signaled that the wood train

had been corralled about a mile and one-half miles from the post and was attacked in force.” Captain

Fetterman, leading his own detachment of forty-nine men plus another officer and including two

civilians plus twenty-seven men from C Company 2d Cavalry under the temporary command of 18th

Infantry Lieutenant Grummond, was sent out to the fight. This force would total eighty-two men.

Fetterman had received a direct order to relieve the wood train, drive off the Indians but not to pursue

the Indians beyond a certain point. And Captain Fetterman disobeyed his orders. Bates is again quoted:

“Upon their approach the Indians retreated, and the command, following, disappeared over the

ridge…This was the last time that was ever seen alive of any man of the party.” Note 1.

Lambert writes of the various actions that took place following the disappearance of the Fetterman

detachment in much greater detail. A doctor and four men went out to reinforce Fetterman but not

seeing the wood train, but seeing lots of Indians, this little detachment returned to the safety of the fort.

Around noon, the sounds of much firing were heard from beyond the Lodge Trail Ridge some five miles

away, and Colonel Carrington ordered one of his commanders with some ninety-four men to assist

Fetterman. Around 12:45 this detachment heard some straggling shots from the Peno Valley, moved to

the area now free of Indians, and found the Fetterman troops.

Lambert: “In a space about forty foot square, and enclosed in some large rocks, were found forty-nine

bodies, stripped naked, scalped, and so mangled as to be almost unrecognizable…only six, including

Fetterman…were killed by bullets. This indicated that the party was rushed by the Indians and

overcome by hand to hand combat.” It would be the next day before the remainders of the bodies were

recovered. Note 2.

Bates writes: “It was evident that the Indians had retreated before the command, which pursued them,

firing away their ammunition. This at last being exhausted, the Indians surrounded the force and killed

them all.” Note 3.

Lambert provides this insight to the attack on Fetterman: The Indians “…had hoped to decoy most of

the garrison from the fort, destroy them, then return and attack the stockade…these Indians numbered

about 2,000 warriors. Their losses probably discouraged them from returning to the attack.”

The nearest help of any significance was at Fort Laramie. Colonel Carrington found a civilian volunteer

who made it to a telegraph station and sent a wire…”only a short time before it was attacked.” The

volunteer John Phillips eventually “…having traveled two hundred and twenty-five miles to Fort Laramie

and safety, with [hostile] Indians along the entire route.” Note 4.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 34

Fort Phil Kearney was reinforced by six companies of the 18th Infantry, along with Company D and L of

the Regiment under the command of Captain David S. Gordon. Carrington still in charge (he would be

relieved as soon as his replacement arrived) confounded the problems by sending the horses from the

reinforcing element back to Fort Laramie where all 150 horses died under horrible weather conditions.

It is also sad to note that one of the reinforcements who froze to death.

“The remainder of Company C was brought back to Fort Laramie in February 1867” writes Lambert, but

Bates is a little more graphic: “Lieutenant [Thomas L.] Gregg was sent to bring the few remaining men

of Company C to Fort Laramie, where they arrived in the latter part of the winter in a sadly demoralized

condition.” Note 5.

The historical significance of the Fetterman Massacre has faded in time outside the Regiment.

The losses suffered, some eighty-three dead, was soon overtaken by an even greater massacre, the loss

of the 7th US Cavalry led by its commander George A. Custer, killed at Little Big Horn, June 25 and 26,

1876 with 263 officers and men.

Authors B.F. McCune and Louis Hart, in a history piece entitled The Fetterman Massacre published on-line summed up the historical significance:

Called a massacre at the time, the December 1866 clash near Fort Phil Kearny was, in fact, a military triumph by the Plains Indians and the Army's greatest blunder in the West until the Battle of the Little Bighorn 10 years later.

Notes

Note 1. Rodenbough. 377.

Note 2. Lambert pp, 98; 100.

Note 3. Rodenbough, p. 377.

Note 4. Lambert, p. 100.

Note 5. Lambert, p. 101; Rodenbough, p. 378

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 35

The Lippincott Canteen

Lieutenant Wallace Lippincott, Junior was a World War II soldier in the 712d Tank Battalion attached to the 90th Infantry Division. He was killed on January 14, 1945 around the tiny Luxembourg village of Berle during the fight of the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944-January 1945). Lippincott’s body was recovered, and was buried at the American Cemetery and Memorial near the Battle of the Bulge area after the war. See Note 1. Just one more soldier killed in the war? Well not just quite. Enter in a Luxembourg citizen, Mister Norbert Morbe and his wife Romaine. Using their own money, they have erected a monument to the 712th Tank Battalion along with the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion and the 90th Infantry Division that all fought in that battle. Mister Morbe is also still fascinated by World War II and has permission to search nearby woods for articles and remains from the war. He has a local museum dedicated to the battle, and those who fought there, as another draw into this tiny village of around a hundred people. See Note 2. It was on one of those trips that he found a canteen that had been issued to Lippincott. Lippincott had etched with a knife his name, serial number, and his battalion designation. Enter Vern and Dona Schmidt. Vern is a World War II veteran of the 2d Cavalry Group, and he just happened to be traveling in Berle, stopped and looked at the museum. Vern was asked if he knew Lippincott, as Mister Morbe wanted it returned to the family. To help sell the deal, Mister Morbe even

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 36 took Vern into the forest to see where he had found it. Later, Vern and Dona traveled to the American Cemetery to visit Lippincott’s grave. To Vern, it was a mission to find the survivors and return the canteen. So in December 2013, after searching for a year, Vern gave the canteen to a family member, a great nephew Ted Nobles. Ted remembered that Lieutenant Lippincott had been married and so a second search began. It took Facebook and the Philadelphia Inquirer to find the widow who had remarried after the war. And Ted did, and the canteen was given to Aunt Libby. Enter into our story, Aaron Elson, author of Armored Fist: The Story of the 712th, wrote about Lieutenant Lippincott’s tank and his subsequent death. Elson joined Vern Schmidt this last May and traveled to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania in May 2014 to see Aunt Libby, now 93 years old. It was there Aunt Libby told Vern, that she took the canteen with her to bed with her, as it was the only personal item she had received as a widow that belonged to her first husband. Note 3. Job well done Vern; you made a lot of people very happy. Thank you John Ted Nobles who provided the initial information to Vern about his Uncle Wally. And thanks to the both of you for sharing it with the Association. Footnotes Note 1. The 90th Infantry Division (“Tough ‘Ombres”) of which Walter Lippincott was attached to, went on into Germany with Patton’s Third Army. It was the same division that liberated the Nazi concentration camp Flossenberg, later in the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment border sector. The old castle overlooking the town and camp was a great spot to use to make radio calls during our border years. The 712th Tank Battalion, originally organized as part of the 10th Armored Division, had its training cadre made up of Cavalry soldiers from the 3d and 11th Cavalry Regiments now mounted on tanks.

Note 2. Starting on January 12th, the 90th Division World War II history on attached units described the situation where Lieutenant Lippincott was killed. “For 3 days and nights the 712th, 773rd TDs and 90th doughs [Doughboys; slang for our Infantry] stood firm against 9 major [German] counterattacks, inflicting huge casualties in men and equipment. Fighting became so intense that 1 tank, dealing with the Boche [Slang for German’s] on its right, had just enough time to traverse left and knock out at a 15 yard range the lead half-track of another armored column. Massive artillery barrages assisted each side – the Heine threw 1500 rounds in a 24 hour period; the 344th FA Bn. unleashed 6000 rounds in 36 hours. Speaking of this action 90th Operational Reports state: “German losses were enormous and mounted as heavy snow storms blanketed enemy dead and wounded alike. No exact count was possible but an estimated several hundred Germans were buried from sight for long after the Division had left the area.” Note 3. This book is an oral history of survivors of the battalion remembering events of almost seventy years ago. It was published in 2013.

Lieutenant Lippincott in his Sherman Tank during the Battle of the Bulge.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E- Page 37

“…And Follow Your Officers”

Former Army PFC Megerdich “Mike” Manoogian now 76 years old was born in Syria and in 1960 was

able to join his parents in the United States. In a 2013 article in the Ocala (FL) StarBanner, he was

quoted as saying: “I promised an American ambassador in Syria if he helped me obtain a visa to join my

parents I would volunteer for the U.S. Army and be a good soldier and make him proud…” and in late

1960, Mike, now living in the United States joined the Army.

While assigned to I Troop in Amberg as a tank loader, Mike took a crash course in English the summer of

1961, and the class was given by Doris Wollenberg, a school teacher, who just happened to be the

spouse of the former I Troop commander Bill Wollenberg. One of the class requirements was to write a

ten sentence essay, and Mike did entitled “How I Became Separated From the Girl I Love.” Mike had

known his girlfriend Angele since age 5 and while Mike had made it to the US, Angele was living in

Beirut, Lebanon. Mrs. Wollenberg, after talking with Mike, then enlisted her husband in the mission to

join the two of them together.

Mike goes on to be quoted: “It was difficult even for a GI marrying a girl from a NATO country to get an

OK and be married in less than four months. The Captain (Wollenberg) called me into his office and just

said ‘Let me see what I can do.’”

By this time Captain Wollenberg was now on the Squadron staff and was able to the personnel section

do the paper work in an expedited manner. Then went one step further by personally guaranteeing

“…Angele’s clearance which was required for the marriage.” Not content with that, Captain Wollenberg

sent his personal jeep driver out with Mike to find a place to live, in a very tight housing market. When

Mike had a problem with the Chaplain who was to perform the marriage, again Captain Wollenberg

stepped in. However the Captain had zero influence over the duty roster, and Mike was almost late for

his own wedding just getting off guard.

In the end the two were married, and after their stay in Amberg, returned to the United States and

Detroit where they raised three sons before retiring to Ocala, Florida. On Thanksgiving, 2013, now a

widower, Bill Wollenberg went east from his home in Colorado to join the Manoogian’s in Ocala. They

had not seen each other for 52 years, and with Bill heading to Vietnam in 1967 for the first of two tours,

they lost contact until now.

It was thru the Internet and the obituary for Doris, that got the two back in contact. Mike for years had

wanted to tell Bill of family success stories. Now he had the opportunity. “I promised the captain if he

helped me I would work at making a good family in America and make him proud…I felt like I had a big

hole in my heart until now, when I told the captain I kept my promise.”

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E- Page 38

For the record, Bill, now a widower living in Colorado, spent Thanksgiving 2014 again with Angele and

Mike in Florida. And now at age 76, Mike is still “following his officer.” Well done Bill; well done Mike. I

think Doris would have been delighted with what she started in Amberg in 1960. I know I am.

Editor: Thanks to the Ocala StarBanner for the story coverage Saturday, November 30, 2013.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 39

The Bells of Amberg: A Lasting Memory

It is early morning in Portland Oregon with the fog hanging in the air over my little part of the city. It’s a

bit chilly as we transition from summer into fall and fall into winter. The traffic from I-5, located a mile

away roars. That is the sound of progress I guess. For some reason my thoughts take me back fifty-six

years ago when I was a soldier once on a chilly morning in the motor pool in Amberg.

For those of you who have never been to Amberg, or ever visited Pond Barracks, the Kaserne was on a

small hill outside of Amberg just to the west of the city. Back in 1959 there were probably 42,000 people

inside the town plus two large settlements for Eastern Germany refugees and other displaced person for

all over eastern Europe. There were open fields around much of Pond Barracks. Amberg itself is still

today an old medieval and Baroque town, founded as a walled city in 1034 A.D., a focus for agriculture;

the city was originally settled by artisans and farmers. It is still ringed by walls, with towers and gates.

The line of the old ramparts is now marked by a succession of parks and gardens which make for easy

walking and for some of us, memories of our time in Amberg. Amberg was virtually untouched by World

War II; any bombing was mostly on the outskirts of town (at the time) where Siemens’, a large electronic

factory, was a major employer and war materials producer.

Dominating to just the northeast of Amberg is the Mariahilf, one of several medieval churches in and

around Amberg. Inside the city itself three churches with their tall spires stand above the old walled

town with its main downtown street running east to west and including the market area, Rathaus (city

hall), and then crossing the Vils River running thru the old town up towards more historic buildings. I

don't want this to sound or read like a travel brochure, but for those of you reading this that never had

the opportunity to see Amberg, it’s sort of important to understand that in medieval Germany, like most

of Europe, churches and the market area were an important part of bringing the people together. And

Amberg was no different even today.

The Kaserne had been built prior to World War II, was a place for displaced persons for a short while,

home to the post war Constabulary (part of our Regimental history today), and home to both the

Regiment except for a three year period when the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment took over in the

1950's.

It was a good time to return to Amberg as the weather was changing and fall had arrived a few years

ago. Like with early spring, early mornings bring fog and mist. .But what will stick with me forever in the

early morning fog and mist, with the sun shining and burning off upper layers of atmosphere, was the

sound of the bells of the churches downtown. Led by Saint Martin on the town square, the three

downtown churches join in the chimes, and far in the distance one can hear the sounds of the bells of

the Mariahilf. And as I stood where once I did early morning maintenance on my M48A2 tank, I could

see myself again as a 19 year old private, amazed at the sounds of the church bells. A lasting memory

even today…the Bells of Amberg..remembering the Cold War.

Volume IV, Issue 18 Spring 2015 E-Page 40

Book Review

[Stryker] The Siege of Sadr City by Sgt Konrad R.K. Ludwig, Ret.

Young basic infantry training graduate, Private Konrad Ludwig arrives at Fort Lewis to be assigned to

serve with the 1-5 Infantry, 1st Brigade Stryker Team, 25th Infantry Division. He is happy with this

assignment until his world changes. His Brigade is re-designated 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, and

Ludwig is now in Bull Company, 1st Squadron (War Eagles), in Vilseck, Germany.

“We were the Infantry, not some slapdash Cavalry unit. That’s a rivalry that dates back literally

thousands of years, to the first time in human history some pompous douche bag jumped on a shiny

horse in the middle of a giant battle, only to run away later while the boots Infantry] pressed on…” write

Ludwig early in his book. But as we later read, he was in for a lot of changes and fortunately for us, most

were positive.

In time, Ludwig becomes a Cavalry trooper, proud of his company, the 1st Squadron and his Regiment.

Part of that was the training prior to being deployed to Iraq. He writes “…our training regimen was

anything but routine…for a while it seemed like every time we went out to the field for maneuvers we

got kudos from on high. Better yet, Bull Company and the rest of 1st Squadron pulled ahead of the pack

with a pleasant shine…”

Ludwig was helped by the quality of his noncommissioned officer leadership. Nearly every NCO leader

he dealt with Ludwig points out was already a combat veteran; Ludwig listened and learned. Then the

Regiment is deployed back to Iraq for its second combat tour.

The first Amazon review I read of Ludwig’s book came from former US Marine Infantryman F.J. (Bing)

West. West from 2003-2008 made sixteen extended trips to Iraq and six more to Afghanistan observing

and reporting on our wars; he knows of what he writes. From has review:

“When you read Konrad, you have a hard time to keep from sweating, and at times vomiting. He brings back to all us grunts memories we prefer to bury deep, smells we wish never to sniff again, and bodies we’d prefer not to have squashed, except that is what we do.”

Later West continues: “You read these anodyne tributes to sage generals who skillfully and

diplomatically turned around the mess in Baghdad by shrewd planning and forbearance, then you read

Stryker and say ‘were the soldiers and the generals on the same planet?’” Ludwig is worth reading for

the grunt’s perspective.

Published by Roland-Kjos, L.L.C., Flintridge, CA 2011; First Edition Trade Paperback September 2013.

Available from Amazon.com; paper $13.49 + postage; also available on Kindle, $3.99